49ers training camp bubble watch: guard Brandon Fusco

With training camp approaching at the end of July, we’re taking a look at the 49ers that may find themselves in a fight to make the final 53-man roster.

Coach Kyle Shanahan produced a top-five offense in both rushing and passing last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Both rely upon the success of the other, with play-action passes playing a heavy role in the scheme of the 49ers’ new head coach.

With the worst run-blocking unit in the NFL last season, per Football Outsiders, new general manager John Lynch needed to find a way to quickly jump-start San Francisco’s run offense. Among the handful of additions made to the offensive line this offseason was former Vikings guard Brandon Fusco.

Fusco was the third of four veteran offensive lineman to sign with the 49ers, joining center Jeremy Zuttah, tackle Garry Gilliam and center Tim Barnes. Zuttah, a Pro-Bowl alternate center, was added in a sixth-round pick swap with the Ravens, while Gilliam was signed away from the Seahawks as a restricted free agent. Barnes has been a starting center for the Rams in every season since 2012 before being released in March.

Lynch didn’t use any of the 49ers’ 10 selections in the NFL draft on the offensive line but still added undrafted free agent guards John Flynn and Darrell Williams Jr.

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Fusco was a four-year starter for the Vikings at right guard. He had a strong 83.1 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2013. What started out as another solid outing in 2014 was cut short by a torn pectoral injury suffered in Week 3, landing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. He returned in 2015 to start 30 games over the next two years with significantly less success.

Fusco has a healthy amount of competition for a starting role with the 49ers. Incumbents Zane Beadles and 2016 first-round pick Joshua Garnett are the early favorites to start. Returning center Daniel Kilgore will be in competition with Zuttah for the starting role. The loser could also be inserted into the completion at guard.

Should Fusco fail to earn a starting nod, he still has a good chance at making the 53-man roster, providing quality depth at both guard spots should either starter fail to perform or suffer injury.